The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-07-30
HEAVENS ARTILLERY.
Severe Thunder Storms In Northern
New England.
Many Towns Lit Up by Burning
Barns and Dwellings,.
Rising Waters Cause Washouts and
Delays on the Railroads.

er passed over Pittsfield village early Thurs.
day evening. The lightning struck and SET
fire to the fine buildings recently erected by
j. M. Chalmers, and they were consumed.
There were twelve tons of hay in the stable.
The estimated loss is $500, with no insur-
ance. A very large amount of hay in the
vicity was damaged by the late rains.
SUMNER, July 29.--During a heavy thun-
der shower, which passed over East Sumner
Thursday evening, about o'clock. the light
ming struck the tower Of the new Congrega-
tional church, and did considerable damage,
both inside and out Bits Of plastering were
thrown nearly fifty feet, clapboards and
shingles torn off. aud some of the outside
finish of the tower badly spllntered. The
church building was insured. Another
heavy shower occurred in the evening, but
no serious damage is reported.
PARIS. July pa destructive thunder
shower passed over Paris village Thursday
afternoon. about o'clock No large quanti-
ty of rain fell, but the lightning was sharp
and frequent and the thunder terrific The
lightning struck tree beside the residence
of j. b. Cole, and entered the house, break
ing dishes and doing other slight damage
Several shade trees on Hill street were up
rooted. The house Of Mrs. Clara Howard
was struck by lightning, but no serious dam
age done. Mrs. Howard narrowly escaped
death, as she was within six feet Of where
the lightning struck. Much damage is done
in the vicinity.
NORWAY, July 29.-Two thunder showers,
one moving from the eastward and the other
from the westward, met over Norway, Thurs
day afternoon. For an hour or more the
rain poured in torrents, causing rise of the
water in the lake of Is inches. The light
ming struck in several places. Capt. A. F.
Noyes's stable in Norway village, was con-
siderably damaged. The electric fluid enter
ed the building at the ridge-pole, and passed
down one OF the posts, splintering it in
pieces and knocking out a window. Among
the other buildings struck in this vicinity
were those of Edwin Lamb Of Otsfeld, and
the stable OF j. X. Budding Of Norway, where
horse was killed.
BRUNSWICK, July ga severe thunder
shower passed over this vicinity Thursday
night. About midnight the lightning struck
the house of Wellington Jedford, farmer
in Topsham, setting fire to and consuming
the house and barn. He succeeded in saving
the most of his furniture, but lost the con-
tents of the barn. including stock and farm
ing utensils; partially insured. The house
Of John Whitehouse, in TopSham, was also
struck, and the house and furniture burned.
The barn was saved. Loss and insurance
unknown.
NoRRIDGEwoCK, July 29.-Thursday af-
ternOon, heavy shower passed over Somer-
set county, raising the Kennebec river some
two feet, and causing several washouts on
the Somerset railroad; Cutter Brook, a cul-
N linz EnlA nd lx.t1
the Weston Brook were all washed out. The
passengers stopped at N0rridgewock.
NORTH ANsoN. July 29.-The train on the
Somerset railroad which left Oakland at
O'Clock Thursday, did not reach Anson till 4
O'Clock Friday morning, on account of a
wash0ut.
FRANKLIN, N. H., July 29-After three
weeks OF hot weather, unequalled in this
State, most violent thunder storm occurred
Thursday night, raging ten hours, washing
away highways, breaking down crops, and
doing thousands of dollars damages
CoNToocooK, n. H., July s9.-The farm
buildings Of Carlos Abbott Of Bradford were
burned by lightning Thursday night. The
estimated loss is $4,000.
CoNcoRD. N. H., July 29.-The brickyard
OF John L. Rines, at BOscawen. was damag-
ca 70 tne extent Oh $500 by shower this
morning.
MARBLEHEAD, Mass, July 29.-The most
terrific thunder storm for many years, ae-
companied by heavy gale, prevailed here
from 4.30 until 7.30 p. N. Several boats
dragged their anchors.
SOUTH ACTON, Mass, July 29.-The barn
OF Luther Billings was struck by lightning
this evening. and destroyed, with live stock,
implements, etc. The loss is $1,000.
SALEM, Mass, July 29-Lightning burned
out fifty telephone wires, including three of
the police boxes, and also struck the tower
of No. mill.
PoMPANoosUs, Vt, July 29.-Richard
Waterman's farm buildings at this place
were last night struck by lightning, which
was almost ineessant for five hours Water
mans loss is $4,000; probably insured. Grain
was badly damaged by the heavy rain.
STOWE, Vt, July 29.-Stephen Douglass's
bouse and barn, with contents, were burned
by lightning tonight; loss S15cO. with no in
surance.
BENTON LANDING, Vt, July 29.-The
house OF Harvey Fletcher, in Lowell, was
struck by lightning last night. Mrs. Fletci
er was instantly killed, and Mr.. Fletcher
was paralyzed. Both were asleep in bed at
the time. Mr.. Fletcher will recover.
BARRE, Vt, July 29.-The house of John
Calef, at Washington, nine miles from here,
was struck by lightning during the severe
storm Of last night, and together with part
OF its contents, the barn, stock and out
buildings, was consumed.